Bears might be able to start QB2 instead of QB3.
Perhaps the Philadelphia Eagles’ Week 3 opponent won’t be down to starting their third-string quarterback after all.
Bears backup QB Tyson Bagent returned to practice on Saturday after clearing the concussion protocol, according to Chicago head coach Ben Johnson.
But while Johnson said that Bagent has been cleared, that’s not actually possible just yet:
Bagent did not participate in the Bears’ practices earlier this week, which meant Case Keenum looked to be in line to start against the Eagles. But now it seems like Bagent could fill in for injured Bears starting quarterback Caleb Williams.
For what it’s worth, the betting line for this game has recently been adjusted. The Eagles originally opened as 3.5-point road favorites against the Bears. The spread grew to 4.5 points after news emerged that Bagent was in the concussion protocol. Now the line is back to having the Eagles as 3.5-point road favorites.
Earlier this week, we asked Windy City Gridiron for some insight on Bagent, who hasn’t made a start since the 2023 season:
As for Tyson Bagent, he remains in concussion protocol at the time of my answering this question, so I don’t think he will play on Monday, but you can’t say he is definitely out, especially with the extra day of rest. Bagent is what you want in a QB2. He has some mobility to get out of issues; he can operate an offense efficiently, and he doesn’t make a ton of mistakes. But make no mistake, he isn’t a starter. He doesn’t have a strong arm and doesn’t have a lot of dynamic attributes. There is a pretty large percentage of Bears fans that adore Bagent and think he can step in and the offense will barely miss a beat. I am not of that school. The offense takes a significant hit without Caleb Williams, but it shouldn’t be inoperable with Bagent.
Whether it’s Bagent or Keenum starting on Monday night, the Eagles will need to prove they can stop the Bears’ run game. Doing so should theoretically be easier since Vic Fangio’s defense shouldn’t have to worry about Chicago’s passing attack to the same extent if Williams was playing. But after watching the Eagles’ defense get pushed away by the Bears in Philly last season, the onus is on the Birds to prove they’re up to the challenge of slowing down this offense.
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